A-10C Thunderbolt II "Warthog"(Borg-Hawg)
The A-10C is the result of a program
called Precision Engagement and is scheduled to begin on the active A-10A
fleet in 2006 and finish around the 2009 time frame. (modification to the active fleet began in 2007) The
A-10C will have a number of upgrades over the A-10A and will make the Warthog
a viable weapons system well in this century.
Precision Engagement (PE) was born about four years ago when a plan was developed to merge a number of smaller, funded programs, into one large modification. By combining all the smaller programs into one large one a lot of money could be saved in development, testing, and installation over doing the smaller modifications separately. PE has been in development for the past four years with the first A-10C being flown at Eglin AFB FL. on Jan 20th 2005, piloted by Maj. "Lou" Rawles. The official roll-out of the the A-10C happened less than a week later on Jan 25th 2005, also at Eglin AFB FL.
The reason the A-10 will go from an A-10A to an A-10C, instead of to an A-10B is, the Two seat Night Attack and Adverse Weather (NAWs) A-10 which was build in the late 70s carries the official A-10B designation. The A-10C will have a number of avionics and weapons system upgrades.... this will not be your daddy's Hawg!!
The PE program has been in the palimanary design and SIL (System Integration Lab) testing phase for the past four years but with the first flight of a C model at Eglin AFB Fl. it will now enter the Design, Testing, and Evaluation (DT&E) and, Operational Testing and Evaluation (OT&E) phases. These two testing programs are scheduled to take about a year. Both Eglin DT&E aircraft have been modified (2004) and Nellis AFB's OT&E aircraft are being modified today (2005).
The PE mod includes a totally redesigned main instrument panel, smart weapons capabilities, and aircraft DC power upgrades. The A-10C's cockpit will receive 2 5X5 multifunction Color Displays (MFCDs), a Hands On Stick and Throttle (HOTAS) system with a modified F-15E right throttle grip, and a modified F-16 control stick grip. Other cockpit items include an Upfront Controller, new Armament HUD control panel, and a redesigned main instrument panel to hold it all.
The Hawg will now be able to carry both the Litening II and newer SNIPER laser pods and it will have JADAM and WCMD capabilities. The DC power will be doubled and a more powerful computer will be added to the Low Altitude Safety and Targeting Enhancement (LASTE) system.
External changes to the A-10C will be minimal being confined to the weapons pylons, you will really have to know your Hawg to be able to spot an "A" from a "C" from the outside. As stated above the A-10C is receiving an upgraded, more powerful, LASTE computer but this is being done as a separate modification. It's being done separately because the new computer adds combat capabilities to the aircraft today but. is also a "must have" for the C model. The newer, more powerful, Integrated Flight and Fire Control Computer (IFFCC), pronounced "If-C", modification will be completed this year (2005).
Note: The IFFCC modification requires the removal of the two "reverse scoops" on the left forward side of the nose of the aircraft. (Update Aug. 2007) The IFFCC mod is complete on the A-10 fleet.
The schedule for the modification (who gets it when) is still being developed and will be driven by the needs of the Air Force. (Update Aug. 2007) The mod is in full swing as of 2006 and the first unit to receive the new A-10C is The Flying Tigers flying out of of Pope AFB NC. The Flying Tigers are moving from Pope AFB NC. to Moody AFB GA because of the 2005 BRAC recommendations and that move includes the A-10C. Please see links below for news articles on the progress of the A-10C mod and the Flying Tigers move to Moody.
Links
First class of A-10C pilots graduate.
First A-10C's arrives at their new home - Moody AFB GA.
Update Aug. 2007- A-10C ready for combat.
Links
Ready for combat
The pictures below were taken by MR. Kevin Jackson and I want to thank him for allowing me to use them. You can see more of Kevin's work at http://www.sharpshooter-maj.com/
Precision Engagement (PE) was born about four years ago when a plan was developed to merge a number of smaller, funded programs, into one large modification. By combining all the smaller programs into one large one a lot of money could be saved in development, testing, and installation over doing the smaller modifications separately. PE has been in development for the past four years with the first A-10C being flown at Eglin AFB FL. on Jan 20th 2005, piloted by Maj. "Lou" Rawles. The official roll-out of the the A-10C happened less than a week later on Jan 25th 2005, also at Eglin AFB FL.
The reason the A-10 will go from an A-10A to an A-10C, instead of to an A-10B is, the Two seat Night Attack and Adverse Weather (NAWs) A-10 which was build in the late 70s carries the official A-10B designation. The A-10C will have a number of avionics and weapons system upgrades.... this will not be your daddy's Hawg!!
The PE program has been in the palimanary design and SIL (System Integration Lab) testing phase for the past four years but with the first flight of a C model at Eglin AFB Fl. it will now enter the Design, Testing, and Evaluation (DT&E) and, Operational Testing and Evaluation (OT&E) phases. These two testing programs are scheduled to take about a year. Both Eglin DT&E aircraft have been modified (2004) and Nellis AFB's OT&E aircraft are being modified today (2005).
The PE mod includes a totally redesigned main instrument panel, smart weapons capabilities, and aircraft DC power upgrades. The A-10C's cockpit will receive 2 5X5 multifunction Color Displays (MFCDs), a Hands On Stick and Throttle (HOTAS) system with a modified F-15E right throttle grip, and a modified F-16 control stick grip. Other cockpit items include an Upfront Controller, new Armament HUD control panel, and a redesigned main instrument panel to hold it all.
The Hawg will now be able to carry both the Litening II and newer SNIPER laser pods and it will have JADAM and WCMD capabilities. The DC power will be doubled and a more powerful computer will be added to the Low Altitude Safety and Targeting Enhancement (LASTE) system.
External changes to the A-10C will be minimal being confined to the weapons pylons, you will really have to know your Hawg to be able to spot an "A" from a "C" from the outside. As stated above the A-10C is receiving an upgraded, more powerful, LASTE computer but this is being done as a separate modification. It's being done separately because the new computer adds combat capabilities to the aircraft today but. is also a "must have" for the C model. The newer, more powerful, Integrated Flight and Fire Control Computer (IFFCC), pronounced "If-C", modification will be completed this year (2005).
Note: The IFFCC modification requires the removal of the two "reverse scoops" on the left forward side of the nose of the aircraft. (Update Aug. 2007) The IFFCC mod is complete on the A-10 fleet.
The schedule for the modification (who gets it when) is still being developed and will be driven by the needs of the Air Force. (Update Aug. 2007) The mod is in full swing as of 2006 and the first unit to receive the new A-10C is The Flying Tigers flying out of of Pope AFB NC. The Flying Tigers are moving from Pope AFB NC. to Moody AFB GA because of the 2005 BRAC recommendations and that move includes the A-10C. Please see links below for news articles on the progress of the A-10C mod and the Flying Tigers move to Moody.
Links
First class of A-10C pilots graduate.
First A-10C's arrives at their new home - Moody AFB GA.
Update Aug. 2007- A-10C ready for combat.
Links
Ready for combat
The pictures below were taken by MR. Kevin Jackson and I want to thank him for allowing me to use them. You can see more of Kevin's work at http://www.sharpshooter-maj.com/
